Home rider Frank Schleck of Saxo Bank won the second stage of the Tour of Luxembourg on Friday but Italian Matteo Carrara of Vacansoleil took the overall lead from previous incumbent Cyril Lemoine after his second place on the day.

Carrara and reigning champion Schleck peeled away from the chasing pack ten km out from the finish and the Luxemburger just won their race for the line as Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha came in third.

Carrara now has a 1sec advantage over Schleck and a 30sec lead over third-placed Lance Armstrong, who came in sixth on the day after a 203 km ride.

Before the racers left Schifflange for the start Armstrong’s sporting director Johan Bruyneel praised the form of the seven-time Tour de France champion.

“Lance is really in very good condition. He is finding his strength and this Tour of Luxembourg is perfect for him to to get his rhythm,” said Bruyneel.

Saturday’s penultimate stage is a 191km ride from Eschweiller to Diekirch.

Stage Results:
1. Frank Schleck (LUX/Saxo Bank), les 203 km en 5 h 10:38
2. Matteo Carrara (ITA) m.t.
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) à 35.
4. Sergej Ivanov (RUS) à 35.
5. Björn Leukemans (BEL) à 35.
6. Lance Armstrong (USA) à 35.
7. Alexandre Geniez (FRA) à 36.
8. Serguei Lagutin (OUZ) à 53.
9. Patrick Sinkewitz (GER) à 53.
10. Serge Pauwels (BEL) à 53.

Overall Results:
1. Matteo Carrara (ITA/Vacansoleil) en 9 h 44:30
2. Frank Schleck (LUX) à 1.
3. Lance Armstrong (USA) à 30.
4. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) à 34.
5. Sergej Ivanov (RUS) à 34.
6. Bjorn Leukemans (BEL) à 35.
7. Alexandre Geniez (FRA) à 39.
8. Andreas Kloden (GER) à 50.
9. Cyril Lemoine (FRA) à 51.
10. Grégory Rast (SUI) à 51.

Article by: AFP